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Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Instant Appetizer: Peppadews Stuffed with Mozzarella Fresca

This is an appetizer for the last minute party or the one you've just remembered was "bring-a-dish" and it's already time to go. Stock your fridge with just a couple of items and you'll be ready in minutes:

Sweet, piquant Peppadews (sometime labelled Sweet Piquante Peppers) were a novelty a few years ago but are available with other pickled items in almost any grocery these days. The same goes for Mozzarella Fresca. Check the specialty cheese area of the grocery and you'll probably find several options; I like this marinated one best which has a few pretty flecks of herbs.

Drain the peppadews and spread them out to find the largest first which will be the easiest to stuff. I used the smaller ones too, but that takes an extra minute of effort to cut the cheese balls down to fit. Since this is such a simple appetizer it seems a bit ridiculous to mention that, but if the party's waiting on you...well, just saying those skimpy peppers take a little extra time.

If you're lucky enough to have some fresh rosemary in a pot grab a few sprigs for decoration. If you don't grow your own, it's very durable in the fridge, so not a bad idea to pick up one of the plastic packs of fresh herbs at the grocery too and it will probably make it through the entire month of December if you might be making these as a red and green Christmas take-along. And that's it! You're ready to go!

Try these great appetizers from our other friends and family at the Food Network. And come back next week when we'll all be blogging about Christmas Cookies!